Archive for October, 2011

To say living healthy lifestyle is a challenge is an understatement. As a single working mom, it’s hard to ensure that I’m taking all the necessary steps to live a healthy lifestyle not only for myself, but my daughter as well. We have fallen victim far too many times to grabbing something on the run which is always unhealthy. Committing to living a healthy life is hard, and I have tried a lot of different programs to help me lose weight and tone up. Everyone says that your diet is key, and as I learn more and more about the items I consume, I couldn’t agree more with this statement.

But, I’m glad to say that I have committed to living a healthy lifestyle not only for myself, but for my daughter as well. I have to start practicing what I preach. I make it a priority to ensure that my daughter is eating a balanced diet and getting plenty of exercise, and I need to start applying the same principles to my own life. It’s amazing how one seemingly small change can lead to a lifetime of healthy choices. My small step has been to eat breakfast. I’ve never been a fan before, but I realized by the time lunch came around I was devouring everything! Not good. So usually on Sundays I boil 6-8 eggs to have in the morning along with some almonds and/or baby carrots. I never desire a huge portion, so having a small breakfast really works well for me.

I was excited to hear about BistoMD’s new “Choose Health” challenge. BistroMD delivers meals for a lighter, healthier you. Every meal is hand-prepared by chefs and provides lean adequate protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fat ratios to support healthy weight loss. They use quality, natural ingredients without hormones, added fillers and unnecessary additives or preservatives. This means no MSG, no Trans Fats, just delicious meals that are good for you. I can dig it!!

To join in on this amazing challenge visit www.facebook.com/bistromd and tell them how you’ll challenge yourself to start living healthy. If committing to a healthy lifestyle wasn’t enough, you can also win great prizes like a week of healthy weight loss meals, an iPad2, or a $500 shopping spree or cash! So run, don’t walk over to their page!! In addition BistroMD.com is offering FREE Shipping on your first week of meals. Simply Use Discount Code: ChooseHealth at checkout.

Have you committed to living a healthy life? If so, what small steps are you taking to help reach your goals?

Happy Healthy Living!!

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post by BistroMD , opinions expressed are the blogger’s own views not influenced by any outside biases.

We’ve all heard the phrase it takes a village to raise a child. Having support when raising a child is crucial, and I know many people who rely on a village to assist in raising their family. It could be their immediate family, extended family, spouse, parents, or friends. These are the people that have your whole back, who are there for you and your family. You here about all the wonderful benefits of having a village, but what happens this village doesn’t exist for you and your family?

I read a lot of posts talking about the wonderful support people have in their lives, and I sink down in my seat. It’s no secret I’m a single parent, but beyond myself I’m the only one around consistently caring for my child. The dynamics of my immediate family have changed, and though I wish it weren’t the case, they are no longer a phone call away. I was frustrated last weekend because I wanted to go for a run Saturday morning…and had no one to call. Sure, I could hire a sitter, but that’d swallow more of the money I don’t have. Maybe it’s my pride; I don’t love asking for help. Part of me expects the people who claim to care for my daughter and I to step up and make more of an effort to be part of her life.

While it would be great to get out once in awhile, that’s not my reason for desiring a village. I view a village as a safety net. You know the trust fall we did back in high school. I want to close my eyes, fall back, and know I won’t hit the ground. Trusting in united hands to support not only me, but my daughter as well.

Have I tried to build up my village? Of course. But, something is missing. Something big. I am doing my best, but I wonder how great I’d be doing if I had a village behind me.

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One of the wonderful and unexpected joys of motherhood I have experienced is the wisdom I pick up on from my daughter. That’s right, I learn from my 6 year old daughter. I learn that timeouts are good for relaxing and that farting gives you energy! Lol. But, really, I am so taken by her imagination, her creativity, and her amazingly giving heart. She inspires me daily.

This weekend I took her roller-skates out for some fun. I wouldn’t let her leave the house without the proper safety precautions – helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, gloves. Once she was strapped in we set off. She held my hand for most of our time outside (even though she didn’t want too) but I did let her skate on her own as I stood back and almost had a heart attack. That was my baby, and my responsibility was to protect her from harm. If I could help her avoid hurting herself then I had too…right? Instead I took a step back. Even though she was nervous, she skated (not too fast) and flashed her million dollar smile as she was becoming more confident on her skates. And off she went. She wobbled and even fell once, but she got back up, dusted herself off, and skated some more.

I *knew* she could skate on her own, but I wanted to do everything I could to ensure she was safe. This got me thinking how much I spend my life bracing for impact, just waiting for something to happen. As a single parent, I don’t have much room to spread my wings and fly. The amount of responsibility I have is enormous, I have a child who needs and depends on me, and me only. So because of this, there is little room for error in my eyes. But, my precious daughter taught me another important lesson, one that I may have known, but have forgotten. As much as you try to protect yourself, and avoid potentially unsafe situations, there are some things you cannot avoid. When you choose to live your life always bracing for impact, you miss these crucial experiences that help shape you. No one is perfect, and I am sure far from it. You may fall, you may hurt yourself, but you don’t have to stay there. You get back up and go forward, you keep trying, you keep living.

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About

Welcome to Alexandra Elizabeth, A Single Mom’s Journey! I’m a Boston single mom to a sparkling 8 year old daughter working fulltime and trying to find ways to inject more calm into my hectic life. I give a candid view of motherhood, single parenting, coparenting, culture product reviews & more. Motivated by a life rich in unpredictability and countless opportunities I’m excited to share the beautiful and dirty moments of being a single mom. Contact: alexandra (at) alexandra-elizabeth (dot)(com).

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